Luminara

Have been mucking around today trying my hand at something different.  I saw one of these on Paula's blog last year so thought I would give it a go today.

Am quite happy with the way it has come together but am sure I can fine tune it a bit more.  Something to sit on the mantle or shelf at christmas and very safe as the "candle" is battery operated.

Another Christmas Card

Here is another card that we made at my class last week, I apologise if the idea is one of yours but I have looked at so many cards lately to get inspiration that I'm not sure where I saw it or something similar.

On this card I have again used the Welcome Christmas and Christmas Greetings stamp sets.

I stamped the wreath and then added red dots for the berries with a stampin marker and I have fussy cut JOY and adhered the J & Y with small pieces of dimentionals but the O is flat.  The ribbon is Very Vanilla Seam Binding.

The colours used are Real Red and Pear Pizzazz and the base card is Naturals Ivory.

Welcome Christmas

We had our Team get together on Saturday and this is the swap I put together.  I actually made this as one of the card for my class that I held yesterday too.

I have used cherry cobbler and old olive card stock and crumb cake and cherry cobbler inks to stamp the images from the Welcome Christmas. The Merry & Type stamp set has some great stamps to choose from and that is where the Deck the Halls stamp is from.  The Merry Christmas is from a set of two stamps called Christmas Greetings the other stamp being one that is suitable to stamp on the inside of your cards.

I love the new seam binding ribbons that are available now and with the addition of some rhinestones and some Champagne Shimmer  Paint the card was finished.  

Masquerade Ball

Early in August (I know that was a while ago) my daughter Ellen went to her school ball and it was a masquerade ball.  So we had to sort out a mask.  She did have one from a previous party she had been to but of course it was the wrong colours and then she also needed a mask for her partner.  At the local art shop here we found some paper mache masks which Ellen painted and decorated with some dimensional silver glitter glue.  We then found some trim to finish the edges and I glued some feathers and a blingy button on hers.  They were finished off with some Stampin Up Rhinestones.

This photo was taken before we added rhinestones to the plain mask.  














Then the finished masks where we had added three rhinestones to one side of  that mask.








Stampin up products came in very handy as I used tombow, crystal effects and sticky strip to help finish these off as well as the rhinestones.

Quilt Card

Recently I attended a class taught by my upline Paula Dobson where she showed us how to make some cards using scraps/offcuts of DSP.  One of the techniques she showed us was a quilt card and I have had a go at one of those this week.

I have no idea what the name of this quilt block is but I saw it some where in my blogging travels (sorry can't remember). I have used strips of  the Autumn Spice DSP to make this pattern.  I then matted it onto some Cajun Craze card stock with Early Espresso card stock used as the card base, with the addition of an Early Espresso satin ribbon and some basic pearls to finish it off.  The sentiment is from the Create a Cupcake stamp set and has been stamped in Whisper White craft ink.

A Scrapbook Page

Well this is something new for me, I had a go at a scrapbook page on Saturday.  Have some photos of my children (not really children any more) and decided to use this photo of my son Todd who is 21.

It was taken at Castlepoint on the Wairarapa coast so I have made it a beach theme.  It has been kept very simple but I have used the sketch from the latest Just Add Ink Challenge to help me.

 I have brayered Marina Mist for the sky and Crumb Cake for the sand and then I found the crab from the It's the Thought set and decided to stamp that on the sand.  I have used the Silver Smooch Spritz and some Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint as well.  I have also used a stamp from the French Foliage set to make a background on the Sahara Sand card stock the photo is mounted on.  I used the computer for the the name and place.

Stepper Box

The other day I decided that I would make a stepper box.  It is called that because when it is open it has the cute little boxes that are like steps.

I have used Pumpkin Pie DSP from the Brights Collection Paper Patterns  Stacks to cover the cardboard I used to make the box with Pumpkin Pie card stock for the lid.  The flower has been made with Pumpkin Pie card stock punched using the scallop circle punch, then faux sueded and scrunched up then put together with an Ice Circle Rhinestone brad. I have then attached to the lid with some leaves using the two step bird punch.

                                                 

I made the little stepper boxes out of the Designer Series Paper Pack which is available as a Level 1 Hostess gift in the current catalogue.  Finished the lid with Old Olive grosgrain ribbon and another ice circle rhinestone brad.

JAI 71 Just Add Black and White.

This week at Just Add Ink  the challenge is a colour one. To just use Black and White  so I thought why not give it a go and this is what I came up with.

I was quite happy with the way this turned out.  The vase has been heat embossed with clear embossing powder that has some dazzling diamonds in it using a stamp from the French Foliage stamp set and the black pearls are Stampin' Up Basic Pearls that have been coloured with permanent marker. The sentiment is from the Thanks For Caring  stamp set. The flowers are from the Punch Potpourri stamp set punched with the Boho Blossom punch.

JAI # 67 - A Sketch

Finally got time over the weekend to get this card done for the Just Add Ink challenge and this week it is a sketch challenge.

So I had a go and this is what I came up with.

Lots and lots of butterflies with some shimmer paint on them because I have just got some of that in my latest order. So with sparkly paint and sparkly rhinestones my card is done. Some of the butterflies are card stock and some vellum made using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit die.

 I have even continued the butterfly theme on the inside and on the envelope.

JAI 65 - Just Add Mateship/Friendship for ANZAC DAY

Seeing as it is a wet day here in Upper Hutt and I didn't have to work (I usually work public holiday Monday's) I decide to get into my craft room and make a card for this weeks JAI challenge

This is what I came up with.

I have used Pear Pizzaz and Peach Parfait card stock and inks and the stamp sets are You're a Gem, Create a Cupcake and Strength and Hope (all stamp set from the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue).  I have sponged the edges and used a Stampin' Write marker to highlight some of the letters then with the addition of dazzling diamonds (on the 4 and the heart that is a bit hard to see), some pearls  and ribbon to finish it all off.

Then I made this one

Which used the same colours but I have highlighted the 4 ever using some hardware from the Hodgepodge Hardware kit and added rhinestones.

Happy Birthday Todd

OMG  I hadn't realised how long it was since I last posted something.  

Yesterday was the 21st birthday of my darling son.  Happy Birthday Todd  hope you had a great day.
This is the card I made him

I have used lots of techniques on this card that I have learnt from my wonderful friend and up line Paula Dobson. (Thanks Paula.)

There is brayering, sponging and masking involved in the background and the tree is from the Lovely as a Tree set which is a great set to used when making a masculine card (I also used the pine cone stamp from this set on the inside of the card). Have added a star using a rhinestone and white gel pen. 

I used Night Of Navy card stock for the card base and matted with Autumn Spice DSP from the new mini as well as some Confetti White card stock matting as well.  I had used confetti white for my stamping too.  The sentiment was printed out onto vellum card stock on my computer as I don't have any numbers and I used some hardware from the Hodgepodge Hardware kit.

On the inside I have added some brayering again and used sentiments from Occasional Quotes and Create a cupcake.

Just Add a Bag

This week over a Just Add Ink the challenge is a 3-D challenge.  It is to make a bag or a box.  I have decided to enter this tote bag which has been made with a paper bag.

I stamped a background with versamark onto the basic grey card stock and the flowers are cut out and stuck on with dimensionals. The bitti button has a thin piece of card thru the holes and is attached with a glue dot.  I have done a little bit of sponging in Blushing Bride on the Very Vanilla card.   I  threaded the ribbon thru holes at the top instead of making a handle.

Materials I have used are:

Vintage Vogue stamp set.

 Basic Black, Basic Grey, Old Olive and Very Vanilla card stock.

Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzaz, Blushing Bride and Versa mark inks.

Rhinestones, Pearls, Itti Bitti Button and Mistletoe ribbon.

Bright and Sunny

My daughter is off to a birthday party tonight so we have made a card and a box to put the gift in.

The weather here today it raining so with these being made in a nice bright yellow it is like a touch of sunshine.

Have decided to enter this into the SUO Challenge 15 - Birthday Cards.

Just Add Ink 59 A sketch Challenge

There is a sketch challenge for us over at JAI this week and this is what I came up with.  I haven't used this set for quite a while but thought it would work for this birthday card today.  It is the Every Moment set and I have made the card in Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie to match the bag I made last week that you can see here.



  I have even used the daisy on the inside of the card too.

Vicki's Birthday

Hello Again.  Today is my friend Vicki's birthday " HAPPY BIRTHDAY  VICKI" and this is what we gave her.

It is a combination of my last two posts and in some of her favourite colors.  So I decided I would get her a scarf for her present as it would fit into the lovely bag.

I gave it to her last night when we went to her house for a very enjoyable meal and she loved it  (as I knew she would).  She was actually at my house crafting with me when I made the card but I didn't tell her what I intended to use it for.

Bags, Bags and more Bags

Just a quick post to show you all what I have been doing this week. Bags, bags and more bags.  Actually there are only two but it sounded so much better this way. The pattern for these lovely bags I found at the Paper Crafters Library a site set up by Andrea Walford which I have joined.

  

        

The first one I made was the Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie for which I made a faux suede  flower using the fancy flower punch the leaves from the two step bird and a little old olive button.   

 The other one is Real Red and Black with a square red fire brad and some silver smooch spritz.

Have to dash now as I have a class to go to so will be back later as I haven't finished here yet.

Just Add Ink # 58

This week over at Just Add Ink we have been challenged to Just Add Amanda or Danielle.  These 2 amazing ladies are the co-founders of Just Add Ink and have decided to step down from the Design Team.  So this weeks challenge is a tribute to them.

I have CASEd a card of Amanda's which you can see Here and I also decided that as it is wear Red and Black day here in New Zealand in support of Christchurch I would use those colours for my card.

So I used Basic Black and Real Red card stock, Real Red satin ribbon, Newsprint and Real Red DSPs, Silver Smooch Spritz, a Rhinestone Brad and some Dazzling Diamonds to finish it off.  As you can see I haven't used any stamps but ink has been used is some subtle sponging and the flower was made using the Fancy Flower punch.

 Thanks Amanda and Danielle for you great inspiration.

it's the thought...

Well I did manage to get into my craft room (yes I have my own room now, that's what happens when one of your darling children leave home) and made a card for my brother and his family who live in Christchurch.  Luckily they live in an area which wasn't badly affected by the earthquake.

I also decided to enter this card into two challenges this week the Just Add Ink colour combo and the Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch challenge.

 The colour combo for us to use was Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight and River Rock but I don't have River Rock so I have used Crumb Cake instead as my card base. I have then used Cherry Cobbler  and Daffodil Delight card stock and Very Vanilla Ribbon.  The stamp set is one I hadn't inked up before called It's the Thought which is a level one Hostess set from the Summer Mini available until the end of March. I coloured in the flowers and vase with markers and blender pens and added some Rhinestones and a little pearl.  I also sponged the edges with some Daffodil Delight ink.

Sketch Challenge JAI # 56

Over at Just Add Ink this week there is a sketch challenge for us.

Sketches are quite good when you need some inspiration as they can kick start your mind in the right direction (hopefully) when you don't know where to start.

This is my take on the sketch








I started off with a Pear Pizzazz card base and have matted with Confetti White, then I stamped on Whisper White with Concord Crush a two step flower from the Fast & Fabulous Hostess Set, I have also sponged the edges of the Whisper White with some Pear Pizzazz ink.







The Happy Birthday from the Curly Cute set was stamped in Versa mark and heat embossed with white embossing powder on Basic Black card stock which is part of a top note. Of course I have added a rhinestone.  Then I added a strip of Pear Pizzazz card stock that had been scalloped along one edge and a ribbon.


I also stamped on the inside of the card

This time I used the birthday wishes from the Occasional Quotes hostess set and the same flower  (or part of) as I had used on the front.












I hope you go and have a look at what the design team have done this week and check out all the other entries too.  Feel free to give it ago yourself.

Team Swap

I made this card last week to use as a swap with my Paper Diva's team mates.

On this card I have used several techniques stamping, punching, tearing, crumpling, sponging, in fact I had fun making this card.

I used Pear Pizzazz,  Peach Parfait, Perfect Plum and Confetti White card stock with Concord Crush and Peach Parfait inks.

I stamped the For You flowers and  punched out the centre, then I punched a scallop circle and crumpled it  sponged the edges and put the flower on with a dimensional. I then used another dimensional to attach it to the card. The other flower is a Boho Blossom and the butterflies are from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit for the Big Shot.  Then with the addition of some pearls and rhinestones it was done.



I recently received  a card from a fellow demonstrater  Patrice  which I used for inspiration and this is her card

 So the idea was the same but as is usual with card makers we have to change things a little.

Valentines Day

Well I thought that I would share the card I made (at the last minute) for my darling hubby on Monday.  I am also going to enter it into the Just add Ink challenge for this week which is to Just Add Love.

 I used Real Red card stock. ink and ribbon as well as Basic Black card stock and ink. With some brads and pearls to finish it all off.

I then put some chocolate hearts in a bag and made a topper for it, actually it is more like a card as the card stock is behind the bag.  Again I used Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White card stock , Basic Black ink, brads pearl and some real red ribbon.

This is the two together.  Unfortunately it was late at night when I took the photos.

Scrapbook Page

Well I am finally back with another blog post.  Sorry it has taken so long but life happens.

Last weekend I went to Rotorua with Paula for stamp camp. We had an awesome time learning new techniques and in my case meeting a lot of new friends.

One of the projects we did (and the one I am most proud of) was a scrapbook page taught to us by Delys Cram who is an amazing crafter.

She showed us how to use the new presto papers that are in the Summer mini where the pattern shows up when you apply ink.

This a photo of my daughter Ellen when she was 12
(she is now 16) and her cat Sooty.
I thought it was a sweet photo to use and I like the way we were shown how to layer the page with the photo and embellishments.

The main colour used was Pear Pizzazz with some Soft Suede ink in the background.  I managed to add a bit of Cherry Cobbler in the little butterfly.

With the use of a bitty button and a pearl among the card stock flowers and butterflies to add interest.

Ellen thought it was cute. (She would have preferred a different colour as she is not to keen on green).

I plan to have a go at another page soon.

A Sketch Challenge

Well over at Just Add Ink this week they have given us a Sketch Challenge.

So I thought I would give it a go and this is what I came up with.

I have punched out the centre of the For You Flower and stuck it on with dimensionals and then attached the flower to the card with dimensionals as well.

Materials Used
Inks: Riding Hood Red, Basic Black.
Card stock: Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Whisper White
DSP- In Colour from Level One Hostess Pack
Stamp Sets:  For You Flower, Occasional Quotes
Also Rhinestone and White Grosgrain Ribbon.
Top Note Bigz Die, Fancy Flower Punch and circle punch.

                    

More Pink for a Baby Girl

The other day I posted a card I had made for a baby shower I am going to.  Today I am showing you the present I have to go along with the card.

This box is called a Gable Box and I have cased this from Paula Dobson who recently taught us how to make this in one of her classes.  I thought it would be ideal to put a few things for the new baby in.

Materials used are:
Card stock: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla
Inks:  Blushing Bride, Pixie Pink(retired), Regal Rose Marker
Stamps: So Swirly wheel, Baby Bundle
Accessories: Brads from Hodgepodge Hardware,Pretty in Pink 3.2cm Striped Grosgrain Ribbon and Dazzling diamonds

Pretty In Pink

This week at Just Add Ink we have been challenged to create  in monochrome which means using one color or colour family.  I have decide to use pink as I am going to a baby shower at the weekend and the baby is going to be a girl so that is  why I decided I would go Pretty In Pink for this card.  I also decided to enter this card in the SUO Challenge which was to make a baby card.

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I used the Baby Bundle stamp set which I first stamped the cute little pram with versamark and heat embossed with  white embossing powder.  I then sponged with Blushing Bride and used the Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose Stampin' write markers to add detail to the pram and colour the other stamps.  I used the Scallop Border Punch to decorate the edges and added some Victoria Crochet trim and a heart shaped Bitty Button, both of which are available from the Summer Mini Catalogue until 31 March. I also added some Dazzling Diamonds to the hearts on the sentiment and the Bitty Button has been applied with a glue dot.

All this was stamped on to Very Vanilla card stock.  The card base is Pink Pirouette with a mat of Pretty in Pink card stock.

Just Add Ink # 50

Well this weeks challenge from the fabulous Just Add Ink ladies is a colour challenge. They are such an inspiration to us all. The colours they have chosen are:



So this is what I have come up with.  It is a birthday card for my darling daughter Anna who is 19 today. Happy Birthday Sweetie hope you are having a great day.  We did take her out for lunch.

I decided that I would also make it as a gate fold card (think that's what it is called) as I have seen these on other blogs and thought that it would be fun to try something I hadn't tried before.











This a look at what the inside looks like
 

                                                                          And a closeup look of the front

I have not used any dazzling diamonds for this card but instead have used Rhinestones and Pearls as Anna is a young lady who loves her bling and the So Swirly wheel is one of her favourites.  She loved it but did ask where was the dazzling diamond LOL.

Materials Used:

Stamp sets: Occasional Quotes, Curly and Cute, Punch Potpourri. So Swirly Wheel

Inks: Elegant Eggplant, Pear Pizzazz

Card stock: So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White

Accessories: Basic Pearls, Basic Rhinestones, Boho Blossom Punch, Butterfly Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Sponging